Injection Distraction Device

ABSTRACT

A system for mitigating pain in a patient associated with needle penetration in the administration of medication, and in particular to a vibratory device configured to be utilized with a variety of existing hand-held intra-oral dental drills or like devices. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches a disposable or non-disposable vibratory tip formed to engage an off-the-shelf intra-oral dental drill, the vibratory tip utilizing an off-axis weight associated with a shaft drive engaging the dental drill, to provide a vibratory sensation to an application tip, the application tip configured to engage an area of a patient&#39;s mouth targeted for the subsequent needled administration of local anesthetic, or other medication. In use, the application tip is applied to the patient, the dental drill is engaged to rotate the shaft drive of the vibratory tip, vibrating same for period of time, so as to decrease the sensation of pain associated with the subsequent needle penetration.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a divisional of U.S. Utility patentapplication Ser. No. 11/043,674 filed Jan. 26, 2005, listing as inventorSherrill F. Lindquist.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems for mitigating pain in apatient associated with an injection associated with the administrationof medication, and in particular to a vibratory device configured to beconnected to and utilized with a variety of existing hand-heldintra-oral dental drills or like devices for numbing the target areaprior to injection.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches a disposableor non-disposable vibratory tip piece formed to engage an off-the-shelfdental hand piece, the vibratory tip utilizing an off-axis weightassociated with a shaft drive for engaging the dental hand piece, thehand piece rotating the off-axis weight to provide a vibratory sensationto an application tip, the application tip configured to engage an areaof a patient's mouth targeted for the subsequent needled administrationof local anesthetic, or other medication.

In use, the application tip is applied to the patient, the dental drillis engaged to rotate the shaft drive of the vibratory tip, vibrating theapplication tip for a period of time, so as to numb the target area todecrease the sensation of pain associated with the subsequent needlepenetration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present conventional dental practice in the United States often involvesthe application of a viscous solution containing a topical anestheticsuch as Benzocaine or the like to intra-oral soft tissues, to numb thetarget area prior to the needled insertion of a local anesthetic.

The dentist or other clinician applies the topical anesthetic with acotton swab for 1-2 minutes to the soft tissue area where the dentalinjection will be inserted. The topical anesthetic deadens theperception of pain in the area where it was introduced.

Unfortunately, the anesthetic also may be spread by the patients tongue,resulting in an unpleasant taste and loss of sensation/control of thetongue and inadvertent numbing of other areas of the mouth; further, theanesthetic may be swallowed. In addition, the topical anesthetic takestime to work, and may not always be effective in sufficiently deadeningthe pain.

There therefore exists a need in the dental area for a means fordeadening the sensation of a needle being introduced into the intra-oraltissues of a patient which does not require medication, which may beapplied quickly and effectively, and in a safe, sterile and inexpensivemanner.

GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION

Unlike the prior art, the present invention provides a system fornumbing a target area on a patient particularly suitable for intra-oraluse which requires no anesthetic, in a device which is inexpensive toprocure and use, and is safe, sanitary, and effective in operation.

The present invention relates to the mitigation or elimination ofintra-oral pain felt by a dental patient when receiving an intra-oraldental injection from a dentist or other licensed clinician, in order toanesthetize a particular intra-oral anatomical structure.

This mitigation or elimination of intra-oral pain is accomplished by thedentist or other licensed clinician by attaching a disposable ornon-disposable piece of dental equipment (the vibrating tip) to anexisting slow speed or variable speed dental hand piece and motor.

The application tip of the device of the present invention produces avibration that, when held against the intra-oral soft tissue, produces anumbing sensation which, in turn, mitigates or eliminates the painassociated with a dental injection.

The Melzack and Wall gate control theory of pain (1965) offers apossible explanation as to how the mitigation or elimination of pain iscaused by vibrating the tissue. Stimulation of larger diameter nerves (Afibers), which transmit the sensations of touch, pressure, andtemperature are believed to block the transmission of smaller diameternerves (A-delta and C-fibers), which carry sensations of pain.

This blockage, or closed gate, prevents the pain sensation from reachingthe brain, where the sensation is perceived as pain.

In the present invention, the vibrating tip possibly functions as adeadening means by heavily stimulating the larger diameter A fibers, andconsequently temporarily affecting the conduction of the smallerdiameter A-delta and C-fibers.

An exemplary method of use of the present invention, utilizing thepreferred device which will be discussed in greater detail infra,involves the following steps:

1) attaching the disposable or non-disposable vibrating tip device ofthe present invention to a slow or variable speed dental hand piece;

2) positioning the hand piece so that the attached vibrating tip is heldagainst the intra-oral soft tissue (the target area) where the dentalinjection will be made;

3) initiating the rotation of the hand piece so as to rotate the driveshaft of the vibrating tip, driving the vibration means (for example,and off-balance weight), providing a vibrating tip;

4) holding the vibrating tip for a desired period of time to targetarea; and

5) removing the vibrating tip from the intra-oral soft tissue comprisingthe target area, and proceeding with the dental injection.

The present procedure, when utilized as a replacement for the prior artmethod of utilizing local topical anesthetic, has been found to provideequally satisfactory or improved results, realizes the reduction ofrequired dentist time, and provides a procedure that tends to make theadministration of dental injections a more positive experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the presentinvention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like parts are given like reference numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side, partially cut-away view of the preferred exemplaryembodiment of the present invention positioned for engagement to anexemplary off-the-shelf drive/hand piece.

FIG. 2 is a top, cut-away view of the off-center weight of the inventionof FIG. 1 rotating via the driveshaft, causing vibration of the tip.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the lateral drive shaft of FIG. 1, having anoff-center weight applied thereto.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the longitudinal drive shaft of the inventionof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary hand-held rotary drive unit.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the vibrating tip of the invention ofFIG. 1 as applied intra-orally to a patient.

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a device 1 in the form of a vibrating applicationtip configured to engage a low speed or variable low speed dental handpiece in similar manner as existing dental prophylaxis cup angle (alsoreferred to as a “prophy”). An example of a compatible hand piece usedin the present system comprises, for example, the Midwest brand straightattachment 17, which fits upon a low speed motor, to provide a low speeddental hand piece.

It is iterated that there are several other manufacturers that providelow-speed dental hand pieces which would be compatible with the device 1of the present invention, and other exemplary brands and models arelisted infra, although said listing is not intended to be comprehensiveor limiting.

The device 1 comprises an outer body casing 2 having a cavity therethrough, the casing comprising a longitudinal portion 3 having first 4and second 4′ ends, and a lateral portion 5 having first 6 and secondends 6′, the lateral portion engaging the longitudinal portion at ends4′, 6′, respectively.

Situated within the longitudinal portion 3 of the casing is a firstdrive shaft 7 having first 8 and second 8′ ends, the first end 8 of theshaft 7 emanating 10 from the first end 4 of the longitudinal portion ofthe body to provide an exposed shank 9, the shank having a notch 12 forengaging 25 a chuck 18 situated at the end of the hand piece 17.

The second end 8′ of the first drive shaft 7 has mounted thereon a 90degree shaft gear 11. The first drive shaft 7 is rotatably supportedwithin the longitudinal portion 3 of the casing via first 13 and second13′ support points.

Situated within the lateral portion 5 of the outer body casing is asecond, laterally situated drive shaft 14 having first 15 and second 15′ends, and a medial portion 16 there between.

As shown, the first end 15 of the second shaft 14 engages the outer bodycasing at aperture 20, a gear nub 19 formed therein to rotatingly engagethe end of the shaft. The first end of the second drive shaft issituated in the vicinity of the second end 8′ of the first drive shaft7, the second drive shaft having mounted thereon a 90 degree shaft gear21 engaging the 90 degree shaft gear 11 mounted to the first drive shaft7.

An off-center weight 22 is provided at the second end 15′ of the second,lateral drive shaft 14, while a collar 23 is situated along shaft 14between the off-center weight 22 and shaft gear 21, the collar 23engaging a nub 24 where the periphery of the collar 23 rotatinglyengages 25 the casing to rotatingly support the second drive shaft 14 inoperation.

A shell/cover 30 is formed about the off-center weight 22 to provide acavity 32 sufficient in size to allow the unimpeded rotation of theoff-center weight therein, the outer surface of the shell/cover portionforming an application surface 31, the above design thereby providing acontra-angle vibrating tip which allows the dentist to have greateraccess to various locations in the oral cavity.

In use, the exposed shank 9 is placed into the chuck 18 of the handpiece 17, engaging same. A mechanical coupling, such as a notch 26 oralternatively a twist lock, as is commonly used in plastic fabrications,can also be provided to engage the first end 4 of the longitudinalportion 3 of the device to an engaging member formed at the tip of thehand piece.

The hand piece is then engaged, the chuck rotating the first drive shaft8, which engages and rotates the second, lateral drive shaft 14,rotating 34 the off-center weight 22, causing a rapid circular motionresulting in a vibration 33, which vibration is transferred via thecasing 2 to the application surface 31.

In treating a patient, the a motor drives the hand piece, which in turndrives the present device 1, rotating the off-center weight at arevolutions per minute (RPM) range of, for example, 1 to 40,000 RPMs,with a preferred RPM range of 500 to 6,000.

Referring to FIG. 6, the vibrating 42 application surface 31 is thenapplied to the target area 41 of the patient (the area where theinjection or other procedure is to be made) for a predetermined periodof time, for example, 15-30 seconds, although the application time couldvary from 1-60+ seconds, depending upon the patient's perception ofpain, the severity of the procedure, etc. After the period of time haslapsed, the application surface is removed 40′ from the area.

The care giver then may carefully apply the injection via needle, orother procedure to the application area, while judging the patient'sperception of pain. If it is determined the patient still feels pain atan unacceptable level during application of the needle, the procedureutilizing the vibrating application tip to the target area may berepeated, until adequate numbing of the intra-oral soft tissue andadjacent area is determined.

The present device is designed to be universally utilized with a varietyof low speed dental hand pieces which accept dental prophy angles.

In the present, preferred embodiment, the motor driving the hand pieceis an air motor, and has a variably adjustable RPM of 30 to 30,000 via astandard dental foot pedal, which alters the air pressure runningthrough the low-speed dental hand piece, although the device of thepresent invention is believed to have an optimal operational range ofabout 500 to 6,000 RPM. Because the system relies upon pneumatic air,there is thus no necessity for batteries or electrical outlets in theimmediate area.

The design of the present device allows it to be manufactured at verylow cost, believed less than $1.00 (one dollar U.S.) per unit. Thedevice could be disposable and packaged in sterilized fashion so that noautoclaving by the care giver is ever necessary; the item is simplydiscarded after use on a patient.

Exemplary off-the-shelf low speed dental hand pieces which would becompatible include, for example:

1) KaVo Intramatic brand low speed system.2) Henry Schein Maxima brand low speed hand piece system.3) Star Dental Titan brand low speed hand piece system.4) Midwest brand low-speed hand piece systems.5) Micro Motors, Inc. PHP brand series prophy hand pieces.

All of the above hand piece systems are operated by air driven motorsand operate within an RPM range of 0-30,000. While virtually alldentists use air driven motors for their low-speed hand pieces, electricmotors are starting to emerge in the marketplace, and would not beincompatible with the present system.

A summary of the method of the present invention, could comprise, forexample, the steps of:

The method of preparing an intra-oral target area on a patent fortreatment, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a device having:

-   -   a first drive shaft having first and second ends said second end        formed to rotate an off-center weight;    -   a cover enveloping said off-center weight, at least part of said        cover comprising an application surface;

b) applying said first end of said first drive shaft to a chuckassociated with a hand piece;

c) applying said application surface to an intra-oral target area on apatient;

d) initiating a motor to rotate said chuck and first drive shaft,rotating said off center-weight to vibrate said application surface, soas to provide a vibrating application surface,

e) utilizing said vibrating application surface to vibrate said targetarea on said patient for a pre-determined period of time, providing atreated target area;

f) disengaging said motor, ceasing rotation of said off-center weight,ceasing vibration of said application surface;

g) removing said application surface from said target area; and

h) treating the patient at said treated target area.

A listing of the elements of the invention cited above follows:

Element Description  1 device  2 outer body casing  3 longitudinalportions  4,′ first end, second end  5 lateral portion  6,′ first,second ends  7 first, longitudinal drive shaft  8,′ first, second ends 9 shank 10 emanating 11 90 degree shaft gear 12 notch in base to engagehand piece 13,′ support points for longitudinal drive shaft 14 second,lateral drive shaft 15 first, second ends 16 medial portion 17 handpiece 18 chuck 19 gear nub at fist end of lateral shaft 20 aperture incover for first end of lateral shaft 21 90 degree shaft gear engaginglateral drive shaft gear 22 off-center weight 23 collar engaging casing24 nub 25 engage 26 notch 30 shell/cover portion 31 application surface32 cavity 33 vibration 34 rotation 40,′ applied, removed 41 target area42 vibrating

The invention embodiments herein described are done so in detail forexemplary purposes only, and may be subject to many different variationsin design, structure, application and operation methodology. Thus, thedetailed disclosures therein should be interpreted in an illustrative,exemplary manner, and not in a limited sense.

1). A device for intra-oral patient treatment, comprising: an outer bodycasing having a longitudinal section having first and second ends, and alateral section having first and second ends, said second end of saidlateral section engaging said second end of said longitudinal section,said outer body casing having a cavity therein; a first drive shafthaving first and second ends, said first drive shaft situated primarilywithin said longitudinal section of said outer body casing, said firstend of said first drive shaft emanating from said first end of saidlongitudinal section of said outer body casing; a second drive shafthaving first and second ends, said second drive shaft situated withinsaid lateral section of said outer body casing, said second end of saidsecond drive shaft engaging said second end of said first drive shaftvia first and second drive gears, respectively, said first end of saiddrive shaft rotatably supporting an off-center weight; a coverenveloping said off-center weight, at least part of said covercomprising an application surface; whereby upon applying said first endof said first drive shaft to a chuck associated with a hand piece, andengaging a motor associated with said chuck, said off-center weight isrotated to vibrate said application surface to form a vibratingapplication surface suitable for numbing intra-oral tissue uponapplication thereupon. 2). The device of claim 1, wherein there isfurther provided a collar emanating about said second drive shaft, saidcollar having an outer diameter configured to rotatingly engage saidouter body casing, said collar formed to support and stabilize saidsecond drive shaft. 3). The device of claim 2, wherein there is furtherprovided a nub associated with said outer diameter of said collar, saidnub formed to rotatingly engage said collar to said outer body casing.